Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Jun 21: Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Saturday with large-scale events themed ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, highlighting the ancient practice’s role in promoting global well-being.
In Riyadh, the Indian Embassy partnered with the Saudi Yoga Committee and the Indian diaspora to host a grand event attended by top Saudi and diplomatic figures. Among the dignitaries were Padma Shri Nouf Marwai, a renowned yoga advocate and President of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation, Shahad Al Mufti from the Ministry of Sport, and Ahmed Alsady, CEO of the Saudi Yoga Committee. The Common Yoga Protocol was led by local instructors Nervin Asharam and Seema Ghanam.
In Kuwait, over 1,500 participants gathered at the Salmiya Boulevard Cricket Ground in an event organised by the Indian Embassy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Attendees included Indian community members, diplomats, students, and yoga enthusiasts. Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika emphasised the importance of incorporating yoga into everyday life for mental and physical wellness.
The Kuwait celebration also featured appearances by Padma Shri Acharya H.R. Nagendra, founder of Swami Vivekananda Yoga University, and Sheikha Shaikha A.J. Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti royal family and vocal supporter of yoga in the region.
In the UAE, the Indian Embassy and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council hosted the IDY celebrations at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC). The event was graced by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir, and former tennis star Sania Mirza, who joined the crowd in performing yoga asanas.
These celebrations across the Gulf reflect yoga’s growing global appeal and its universal message of health, harmony, and holistic living.